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CBD oil, short for cannabidiol, is popping up in products ranging from smoothie add-ons at JuiceLand to Willie Nelson’s new line of CBD infused coffee grounds. The trend’s increasing popularity isn’t for the reason you might think. CBD is sometimes called a “miracle oil” used to help alleviate health conditions such as anxiety and chronic pain — and it’s perfectly legal.

Although Texas has yet to legalize cannabis for recreational use, local Austin businesses are incorporating cannabis into their menus and inventories. CBD contains less than 0.3 percent of THC, a component found in recreational marijuana that’s known for getting people high. In other words, drinking coffee or taking supplements made with CBD oil won’t get you stoned.

Rawsome, a family-owned business, opened its Austin location in March 2018. Though CBD oil has been available in Austin at local stores, Rawsome is the first store that solely sells organic CBD oil. They take their business seriously and even mix and bottle the oil themselves, as well as independently testing their CBD to ensure its quality.

Gina Andres said Rawsome customers use CBD for a variety of treatments, returning customers swear by it regardless of what critics say.

“Because of the benefits of CBD, people come to us for treatment of anxiety, pain, sleep disorders and even for their dogs,” Andres said. “We have a community of repeat customers that come back to share
success stories.”

When it’s not being used as a wellness supplement, CBD is also making its mark in the food and drink industry. Lazydaze in North Austin was one the first businesses in the city to serve CBD infused coffee.

Brad Davis, owner and operator of Lazydaze, teamed up with Austin Java and Bee Delightful, a local CBD-infused honey business to brew ups cups of CBD oil coffee and even tea. But unlike coffee, Davis said CBD isn’t habit forming.

“Austin is a great city for businesses like this to thrive in,” Davis said. He said that the CBD oil market in Austin is popular, as Davis’ CBD products are
his bestsellers.

CBD products aren’t approved supplements from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, meaning they aren’t regulated for purity and dosage like other medications. It’s important to pay attention to where the product comes from and how it’s being tested. There still needs to be more research on the definitive benefits of
CBD oil.

For this reason, Andres warns those interested in trying CBD oil to make sure it’s made from organic cannabis.

“If it’s not organic, walk away,” Andres said. “Hemp plants draw so much from the soil, so you want to know what you’re getting.”

Both Davis and Andres said they hear many people say CBD is not effective, but it all depends on how the person reacts to the dosage.

That’s why Andres said those interested in CBD should start “low and slow” with about 5 milligrams to 10 milligrams.

Davis wants to see more research and outreach done on CBD’s effectiveness in the future. He says the hardest part of selling CBD is the stigma
of cannabis.

“People tend to focus on the fact that there’s one compound in cannabis that has a psychoactive affect,” Davis said. “People need to be educated and informed about the benefits that these plants can provide them.”